Here in the ‘boondocks’ of Southern Virginia, my nearest supplier of homasote is a one hour drive. While looking around in Home Depot today, I found a product called Quiet Brace Bar. It is black in color, comes in 1/2" x 4’ x 8’ sheets, appears to be the same consistency as homasote and can be cut with a razor knife, without MESS and the price is less than $8.00 a sheet. Just wondered if anyone has seen this product and more importantly tried this product on their railroad. Thanks in advance for any comments!!
Read all about it here
That sounds like an improved version of Sound Board, which I have been using on layouts instead of Homasote for several years. The sound board I have been using, according to the manufacturer’s web site (Celotex Corporation) is made from compressed sugar cane and other vegetable matter. I think it is much easier to work with than Homasote.
The plain sound board sold here in Arizona is brown and comes in 1/2 inch thick, 4x8 foot sheets. It can be cut with any type of saw, and can be carved into for streams and gullies. I fasten it down with latex caulk and paint the top gray using cheap latex paint.
Beware the asphalt coating on the Quiet Brace board that is mentioned in their literature. Probably makes it difficult to coat with any finish. May smell a bit, too.
Dante
Looks like this is worth further review. Homasote has been good for me in the past, but technology has improved since my first layout “40 lbs.” ago (I forget how many years ago).
I use the half-inch soft brown sheets for my roadbed under my ballast…great for deadening unwanted sound and much better than homosote in every way. The black stuff I found really smelly and tacky and difficult to work with.
This is the material I was referring to in one of the other threads by the way.